Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 6 (NHE6/SLC9A6) is involved in clathrin-dependent endocytosis of transferrin

In mammalian cells, nine conserved isoforms of the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger (NHE) are known to be important for pH regulation of the cytoplasm and organellar lumens. NHE1-5 are localized to the plasma membrane, whereas NHE6-9 are localized to distinct organelles. NHE6 is localized predominantly in endosomal compartments but is also found in the plasma membrane. To investigate the role of NHE6 in endocytosis, we established NHE6-knockdown HeLa cells and analyzed the effect of this knockdown on endocytotic events. The expression level of NHE6 in knockdown cells was decreased to ∼15% of the level seen in control cells. Uptake of transferrin was also decreased. No effect was found on the endocytosis of epidermal growth factor or on the cholera toxin B subunit. Moreover, in the NHE6-knockdown cells, transferrin uptake was found to be affected in the early stages of endocytosis. Microscopic analysis revealed that, at 2 min after the onset of endocytosis, colocalization of NHE6, clathrin, and transferrin was observed, which suggests that NHE6 was localized to endocytotic, clathrin-coated vesicles. In addition, in knockdown cells, transferrin-positive endosomes were acidified, but no effect was found on cytoplasmic pH. In cells overexpressing wild-type NHE6, increased transferrin uptake was observed, but no such increase was seen in cells overexpressing mutant NHE6 deficient in ion transport. The luminal pH in transferrin-positive endosomes was alkalized in cells overexpressing wild-type NHE6 but normal in cells overexpressing mutant NHE6. These observations suggest that NHE6 regulates clathrin-dependent endocytosis of transferrin via pH regulation.